I was lucky enough to get away for a couple days this week to spend time with two dear friends at the newly opened Crystal Mountain Ranch in Crystal, Colorado. The centerpiece of this silver mining ghost town is the Crystal Mill – one of the most photographed historic sites in Colorado.  The Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places and is not exactly easy to reach, especially by car. My friend, Phoebe and I drove to Marble Colorado from the Denver area and were greeted by staff of Crystal Mountain Ranch in a quite capable 4×4 vehicle for a 50-minute nail biter of a ride up a breathtakingly beautiful and steep mountainside. The Ranch owners, my friend Heather and her fiance’ Chris, who own land and much of the property in Crystal including the Mill, have been working tirelessly to open Crystal Mountain Ranch to the public. The Ranch has several cozy and rustic cabins and campsites available. Check them out at Crystal Mountain Ranch. This is definitely a bucket list kinda place!

The Crystal Mill, Crystal Colorado

The Crystal Mill operated as the powerhouse for the small mining town of Crystal Colorado from the late 1890s until 1917

Looking toward Whitehouse Mountain from Crystal CO

Crystal, Colorado

Alpenglow on Crystal Peak

The Crystal Mountain Ranch Store, Crystal CO

Alpenglow on Crystal Peak

Alpenglow hits Crystal Peak at sunset

Crystal, Colorado, elevation 8,950 feet above sea level

Crystal Peak, elevation around 13,000 feet above sea level

A mystical waterfall near Beaver Pond in Crystal Colorado

Red Columbine

Mist from the top of Inez Falls

The Crystal River

View to Whitehouse Mountain

Put this place on your bucket list!